One of the best things I've ever done with my Dell Streak so far is to introduce it to my Logitech diNovo Mini keyboard. The keyboard is designed for use with an HTPC/media center but since it's equipped with Bluetooth 2.0 and the Streak (unlike other Android devices) supports Bluetooth keyboards, I figured the two devices would get along.

Word is that the Streak will be available on the Dell website and at AT&T next week. If you are interested in this device I recommend the streak subforum on xda-developers.com (good for any non-Symbian, non-Apple phones) and above Streaksmart site. The latter is a dedicated site.

Virtually all reviews have been good. Only complaints are the size (as if that isn't something you shouldn't make up your mind on before you get it, lol) and the fact that it still is Android 1.6. Dell has said it will upgrade to 2.2 soon.

Word is that the Streak will be available on the Dell website and at AT&T next week. If you are interested in this device I recommend the streak subforum on xda-developers.com (good for any non-Symbian, non-Apple phones) and above Streaksmart site. The latter is a dedicated site.

Virtually all reviews have been good. Only complaints are the size (as if that isn't something you shouldn't make up your mind on before you get it, lol) and the fact that it still is Android 1.6. Dell has said it will upgrade to 2.2 soon.

Thanks, I've been checking out Streaksmart and will check the other. I read about 1.6 vs. 2.2 and am not clear what the upgrade would offer that I might want. Maybe my needs are vanilla enough for 1.6 to satisfy. I read some UK user complaints of lost signals and one about programs locking up and cycling (not sure of the phrase). Worry that the Android world might be too sophisticated for my limited tech ability, that I might get stuck, when all I want is a device that will work. I really like the screen size and features, though. Argh.

Thanks, I've been checking out Streaksmart and will check the other. I read about 1.6 vs. 2.2 and am not clear what the upgrade would offer that I might want. Maybe my needs are vanilla enough for 1.6 to satisfy. I read some UK user complaints of lost signals and one about programs locking up and cycling (not sure of the phrase). Worry that the Android world might be too sophisticated for my limited tech ability, that I might get stuck, when all I want is a device that will work. I really like the screen size and features, though. Argh.

The main differences between 1.6 on the Streak (heavily improved by Dell already) and 2.2 are that 2.2 offers Flash and supposedly a speed increase. 1.6 will be fine for you.

If you don't tinker with the device and limit yourself to browsing, e-mail, SMS, IM, social networks, video, music, and reading I wouldn't worry too much about problems. It is those that push the device to the limit with hundreds of apps and interface tweaking that are occasionally having hiccups. As is to be expected.

The main differences between 1.6 on the Streak (heavily improved by Dell already) and 2.2 are that 2.2 offers Flash and supposedly a speed increase. 1.6 will be fine for you.

If you don't tinker with the device and limit yourself to browsing, e-mail, SMS, IM, social networks, video, music, and reading I wouldn't worry too much about problems. It is those that push the device to the limit with hundreds of apps and interface tweaking that are occasionally having hiccups. As is to be expected.

Cool. I don't even know how to begin tinkering. I basically want e-books, e-mail and Internet, with phone and camera, in one package.

Don't be scared off. Android is really quite easy to use. My wife who is also a non techi learned how to use her phone quickly. With the exception of setting up her email, the first time, she refused to let me touch it because she wanted to learn it.
I was like wow, you added these widgets by yourself, added apps by yourself. And also re installed the Market. She absolutely loves her phone and continued to learn how to use it for productivity, such as calender, todo, etc.. and she still wont let me touch it

As for the differences of 1.6 2.2
There are quite a few enhancements mainly in UI. A lot in the Media, but I think Dell also added their own features.

The two features you'll notice is
* Word reflow HTML when you pinch zoom. No need to pan to read
* JIT engine will make apps run 10x faster.

There is more but as a user those are the bigger three.

Oh and don't worry about upgrading Android can receive the updates remotely you just have to accept it and it will be applied.

Thanks, X. That's all reassuring to hear. It sounds as if the Streak will work for me. I've signed up for pre-ordering or whatever Dell calls it, trying to get an unlocked one, so I can use it in the U.S. and abroad. (I don't yet know what kinda SIM card the Streak uses, though.)

Is there general guidance for how to spot "safer" apps in the Android marketplace? I've read that there are many crappy, scammy ones (not that there aren't plenty of those via iTunes as well). ... Hmmm, I wonder whether someone offers an app converter chart, like if you like X app on iDevices, you'll probably like Y app on Android. Might be handy for people who are switching from one OS to the other, or if a friend recommends a good app on an OS you don't use.

App-selection is going to be trial-and-error, like on any other platform, to find the ones you like. A lot of the same apps available for iPhone/iPad are also available on Android. The Market also shows Comments from other people who have installed the app, so that's a good starting point for determining if you want to give something a try or not.

Note that when installing an app, you get a warning listing the types of data and every hardware and software capability that the app will have access to. If the single-player game you are installing is asking for access to your contacts list and the phone function, you may want to wonder why and cancel the installation.

A widget is something that sits on your screen and does something more than just act as a button to start the app. For example, the WeatherBug widget puts the current conditions at your location right on the screen. A calendar will put your upcoming events and reminders on the screen for you. They're kind of like Desktop Gadgets in Windows 7 and Vista. You can move widgets around and mix them in with app launcher shortcuts however you like.

Cool. I don't even know how to begin tinkering. I basically want e-books, e-mail and Internet, with phone and camera, in one package.

Are you gonna get one?

I plan on getting one. I was waiting for something like this for a long time -- for me the perfect phone has the largest possible screen but still fits into my pocket. This seems to be it. And 5" is the size of many dedicated readers, already. Though I will keep my phone with full Querty keyboard for work.

The reading capabilities and screen size are the big draws for me. I've always been way behind on cell phones otherwise. It took me years to get one, then I carried my first off for years, because I had it only in case of emergency. Then it took me years to get an iPhone. Of course, if the Streak had come along earlier....

The reading capabilities and screen size are the big draws for me. I've always been way behind on cell phones otherwise. It took me years to get one, then I carried my first off for years, because I had it only in case of emergency. Then it took me years to get an iPhone. Of course, if the Streak had come along earlier....

Actually, HTC has had a phone with a 5" screen (the Advantage) for a long time. Not a big seller, but it has kept its value better than any other phone. 2-3 years after it first came out they still saw no need to reduce the original price. Unfortunately, it was very thick and heavy, technology was not yet ready to have a form factor such as the Streak.

If the Streak does remain the only major 5" phone on the market I suspect it, too will retain its value for a long time.

I wonder how much Apple is losing out by not going for 4" or 4.3"? There seems to be a clear trend towards bigger screens.